From Concept to Construction: The Creativity of Site Design & Land Development

Feb
12

From Concept to Construction: The Creativity of Site Design & Land Development

Brad Hovanec, Megan Kulpinski & Betsy Sheridan, CAGE Civil Engineering

3:30 p.m., February 12, 2026   |   311 DeBartolo Hall

As engineering consultants at CAGE, we partner with clients to solve unique challenges in real estate and site development. Our mission is to support community growth across the U.S. through thoughtful planning of residential neighborhoods, retail centers, schools, parks, healthcare facilities, and other community assets.

This seminar will explore the full site design and land development process, showing how engineers develop creative solutions to address constraints, regulatory requirements and community needs. We will discuss the key stages of site design and land development, highlighting how multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for successful projects.

We will explore a real-world example: a major electric vehicle manufacturing campus in Normal, Illinois, designed for Rivian. This impressive development spans more than 120 acres and includes a 1.2-million-square-foot building, 159 truck docks, extensive trailer parking, a public roadway extension, a roundabout, and a tunnel that connects to the existing Rivian campus across the highway. Rivian referred to this development as “Project Grit”, a code name that reflects the complexity, long-term planning and engineering challenges associated with the facility. Using “Project Grit” as our guide, we’ll explore the complexities of land development and site design and walk through what goes into a full CAGE plan set. We’ll also highlight the dynamic, interdisciplinary communication that drives a project of this scale and look at how developments like this can energize and positively impact the communities where they rise.
Join us to discover how engineers shape communities and why thoughtful, collaborative design plays such an important role in our future.

Brad Hovanec, P.E. earned his bachelor of science in civil engineering from Purdue University in 2015 and brings more than ten years of experience in land development across residential, commercial, industrial and institutional markets. He leads the CAGE design and production team and works closely with clients to manage priorities, maintain communication and guide projects through design, permitting and agency coordination.

Megan Kulpinski earned her bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2022. Following her internship at CAGE, she joined the team as Project Engineer. During her time at Notre Dame, Megan was part of McGlinn Hall.

Betsy Sheridan completed her bachelor of science in civil engineering at the University of Notre Dame in 2023. During her time at Notre Dame, she was a member of Welsh Family Hall. After gaining valuable experience as an intern at CAGE, Betsy was hired as a Project Engineer with the team.

CAGE is a full-service consulting firm offering comprehensive civil engineering solutions to a diverse range of clients. Our team of skilled civil engineers, construction managers, and land surveyors provide unparalleled expertise to every facet of our clients’ projects. With offices in Illinois, Colorado, Arizona, North Carolina, and Florida, we deliver top-notch consulting services nationwide.